The scene shifts.
A vast metallic hallway stretches out, illuminated by the cold, sterile glow of overhead lights. The walls gleam with a polished sheen, reflecting the steady movements of figures clad in sleek black suits lined with glowing blue circuits. Soldiers—disciplined and efficient—move through the corridor in formation, their light armor blending seamlessly with their uniforms. Among them, a few scientists in long coats and data tablets navigate the bustling space, their eyes locked onto streams of information projected before them.
Amidst the organized chaos, three figures stand out—Keon, Azira, and Darlic.
They walk side by side, Keon's eyes scanning his surroundings as they move forward. The rhythmic thuds of boots against metal echo around them, creating a steady, almost mechanical beat. He notes the way the soldiers carry themselves—focused, precise, as if every step is calculated. The scientists, in contrast, seem absorbed in their own world, barely acknowledging the armed personnel around them.
Keon glances at Azira and Darlic. "So… this place is more than just a simple military base, huh?"
Azira smirks. "Took you this long to figure that out?"
Darlic, ever composed, adds, "We're just getting started."
Keon exhales, shifting his gaze forward. Something told him that whatever came next would only raise more questions.
Scene
The metallic hallway expanded into an immense chamber, bathed in a sleek, blue-white luminescence. The hum of energy pulsed through the air, synchronized with the rhythmic movements of towering machines.
Then Keon stepped inside.
His breath hitched.
The sheer scale of what lay before him was staggering—a battlefield waiting to be unleashed.
Lined in perfect formation, these gargantuan humanoid machines stood like iron colossi, their armored plating reflecting the cold light above. Their massive arms, lined with ballistic cannons and energy gauntlets, rested at their sides, waiting. In eerie silence, they loomed—dormant but ready.
A row of titanic war tanks stretched into the distance, their sleek metal plating glinting under the harsh lights. Some bore rotating energy turrets, while others had pulse cannons embedded in their chassis. Their hover engines emitted a low hum, the power within them barely contained.
Then—the ground shook.
Keon's eyes snapped toward the source, just in time to see shadows moving.
Marching in calculated unison, the Giant War Mechs advanced. Their glowing visors pulsed, scanning their surroundings with a cold, machine intelligence. Every step sent a low reverberation through the chamber, as if the space itself recognized their authority. Some bore arm-mounted energy blades, others shoulder-mounted cannons, but all carried the same unstoppable presence.
Above, suspended platforms and robotic arms moved in perfect synchronization, assembling parts, running diagnostics, and performing maintenance with surgical precision. Sparks flared briefly, illuminating engineers in sleek uniforms, their visors reflecting streams of real-time data.
All around, soldiers in black suits lined with glowing blue circuitry walked with unwavering purpose. Some carried advanced energy rifles, others stepped into training modules, preparing for the battles ahead.
Keon finally exhaled, eyes flickering between the towering war machines and the organized chaos surrounding him. The sheer magnitude of destruction in this single space sent a chill through his core.
He took a step forward, voice barely above a whisper.
"What… What is this place?"
Azira, watching his reaction, crossed her arms, smirking.
Darlic adjusted his gloves, his voice flat and unwavering.
"Welcome to the Mech Bay."
Scene: Dragged into Reality
Keon's expression remained frozen in shock. His wide eyes darted between the massive war machines, his mind struggling to process the sheer magnitude of destruction standing before him.
This wasn't just a facility—this was a fortress of annihilation.
His fingers subconsciously tightened around his recruit card as he muttered, "This is insane…"
Before he could dwell on it any longer, a cold yet firm grip latched onto his wrist.
"Alright, that's enough gawking!"
Azira's shark-gray skin pressed against his as she yanked him forward, her sharp grin flashing in the blue-white glow of the Mech Bay.
Keon stumbled forward, barely catching himself as he shot her an incredulous look.
"Oi! I can walk, you know!"
Azira didn't slow down, effortlessly pulling him along with unnatural ease, her fingers vice-like around his wrist.
"Yeah, yeah, but if I leave you here, you'll just stand there with your mouth open all day. C'mon, we still have a lot more to tour."
Keon groaned but didn't resist.
Darlic, walking beside them with a neutral expression, adjusted his gloves.
"You'll want to save your energy, Keon. What's next might be even more overwhelming."
Keon shot him a glare. "Oh, great. Can't wait."
Azira only chuckled, her tail flicking slightly in amusement as she dragged him deeper into the unknown.
Scene: Into the Void
As Keon was being dragged along by Azira, he let out a sigh, his free hand flicking the recruit card between his fingers.
The metallic surface gleamed under the facility's bright lights—his name, age, and A-Rank Esperia classification etched onto it. A mark of recognition. A label.
But also a chain.
With a subtle shift in his focus, the space around his palm seemed to distort—like a ripple in reality itself.
Then—fwip.
The card vanished into nothingness, slipping beyond the physical realm as if it had never existed.
It was now stored in his Rift Storage, suspended in that weightless, boundless void, where only he could retrieve it.
Azira glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Neat trick."
Keon smirked, flexing his fingers. "Handy, isn't it?"
Darlic, ever observant, nodded slightly. "It's more than handy. That ability alone changes everything."
Keon merely hummed in response, but deep inside, he knew—his Rift Storage was more than just a pocket dimension.
Scene: Unanswered Questions
Keon's steps slowed, his mind replaying the moment over and over.
The portal Victor Jhon used—it wasn't Espria.
He was sure of it.
His gaze flickered toward Azira and Darlic as a question burned on his tongue. "That thing the Chief Director used to teleport… what was it?"
Azira tilted her head, giving him a curious look. "You mean the portal?"
Keon nodded, keeping his tone casual. "Yeah. It didn't look like any normal Espria ability."
Darlic glanced at him briefly before returning his focus forward. "You're observant."
Azira snorted. "More like nosy."
Keon ignored the jab, waiting for an actual answer.
Darlic finally sighed. "It's classified."
Keon clicked his tongue. Of course it is.
Azira smirked. "If you're that curious, why don't you ask the Chief Director himself?"
Keon exhaled, shoving his hands into his pockets. Like that's going to happen.